15-21 Ganton Street,
Soho,
London,
W1F 9BN
(020) 7734 6696
The ViewLondon Review
If you can deal with the reality TV crowd and high priced drinks, then the stylish baroque décor and outstanding staff at Alto are sure to impress.
The Venue
Located on Ganton Street in Soho, Alto has taken over the former site for Umbaba (once one of London’s premier members’ clubs). It’s a big venue with space for 500 party-happy punters, and there’s plenty of seating on comfy sofas and booths and proper space to dance. The dance floor isn’t ideally placed next to the toilets, as bottlenecks tend to build up when people are trying to pass by, but it’s an improvement on many West End clubs who haven’t even got dedicated dance space. The bar is long and dominates the room, so you can always get served with a drink however busy the club gets, and the décor is fresh and sexy with blacks, purples and burnt oranges making up the colour scheme. The low carved ceiling and art deco-style creates a 1920s vibe.
The Atmosphere
If you arrive early and look smart, you’re unlikely to have trouble with Alto’s door staff. In fact, they’re a great deal friendlier than almost any other club of this type. Arrange guestlist in advance with a promoter or the club, or book a table if you’re happy to guarantee a minimum spend and want extra special service. The crowd is a good, international mix with gorgeous girls and high-rolling bankers, footballers (Ashley Cole makes almost-weekly visits) and It boys. The only downside to the crowd is that there’s a big reality television contingent (Essex boys Jack Tweed and Mark Wright run the guestlist on Wednesdays), which is a bit of a turn-off for some people, but the exceptionally friendly and efficient staff should be enough to distract you from the champagne-and-sparklers crew. The live musicians add a far more classy touch.
The Music
Alto’s DJs play pretty predictable commercial r’n’b and dance music, with the odd cheesy tune from the likes of Dizzee Rascal or the Top 40 thrown in. Far more interesting than this is the regular live music from pianists, saxophonists and jazz performers though. The dance floor gets busy early on, so you won’t ever feel like you’re the first to get up and throw some shapes.
The Drink
When Alto first opened, they made a big deal of their martini menu, but it seems most of the crowd here are more interested in bottle service or simpler drinks. Like most of the West End, that costs more than a pretty penny. Expect to pay £10-£15 for a single vodka and mixers, and bottles start from £150 upwards. It does work out cheaper to book a table between a group of friends and order bottles, and the staff will be far keener to spend their time on you if you do.
The Last Word
With its fresh décor and uniformly friendly staff, Alto is a good successor to Umbaba. There are some classy touches, with the only real letdown being the reality TV show-offs and the glamour models accompanying them.
Alto has been reviewed by 34 users